The Trial of the King of the Jews

THE TRIAL OF THE KING OF THE JEWS
Length: 60-minute play

CAST (24–35; doubling encouraged)
Courtroom:

• JUDGE

• COURT CLERK

• BAILIFF

• PROSECUTOR

• DEFENSE COUNSEL

• PROSECUTION TEAM (CHIEF PRIEST, SCRIBE, COUNCIL ELDER) [can be 2–4]

• DEFENSE ASSOCIATE (optional)

• JURY / GALLERY (6–12 ensemble; doubles as crowd/disciples)

Witnesses in this section:

• ROMAN SOLDIER / CENTURION

• MARY MAGDALENE

Flashback roles (doubled by ensemble):

• JESUS (non-speaking or minimal lines in flashbacks)

• DISCIPLES (2–6)

• CROWD VOICES

SET / ZONES (single set)

1. Courtroom (main): Judge’s bench (upstage center), witness stand (stage left), prosecution table (downstage left), defense table (downstage right), jury/gallery seating (stage right).

2. Flashback strip (“Evidence Lane”): a lit strip downstage center. Flashbacks appear here while the courtroom remains visible.

PROPS / TECH (minimal)

• Gavel, folders, exhibit stickers/envelopes, legal pads, pens

• A simple sign placard: “KING OF THE JEWS” (flashback)

• A cloth (used briefly as burial/shroud in flashback)

• Palm frond or olive branch (flashback)

• Roman sash/helmet (for Soldier)

• Lighting and sound cues: court ambience; crowd swell; night wind; heartbeat/impact hits

NOTE ON STYLE
The courtroom is contemporary in tone and language, but respectful. Scripture appears as “exhibits” and short quotations, not long readings. Flashbacks are staged as living evidence triggered by testimony.